Robertson heartlessly concludes that contraception had an approvable value in the
moral hierarchy. But why? Well, and there's not polishing this immoral apple of thought: because contraception can suppress the number of Appalachian
ragamuffins. Robertson's comments reveal a chasmic distance between the heart of Robertson
and the heart of God.

It wants noting, as well, that Robertson's assertions are flawed for other reasons.

Robertson's remarks are triply offensive. First, for their historic dishonesty -- the Protestant Church has not always approved of birth control (unless "always" is limited to mean "as long as Pat has been around." Second, for their mischaracterization of Natural Family Planning -- baselessly portraying Natural Family Planning as some sort of Catholic plot to drive men and women into a lifetime of mentrual intercourse. Third, for their heartless inhumanity -- making out the sons and daughters of impoverished Appalachia as drags and anchors on their families.

That last offense and sin strikes harder and cries louder: it is so distant from the love of Christ, who rebuked His own disciples and warned them, "Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven." Indeed, Robertson seems to have drunk a very old elixir of Malthusian kool aid. For me, when malthusians burp their crap onto the social stage, I find no more soothing salve than a short passage of Dickens that eviscerates their heartless spiel:

``Spirit,'' said Scrooge, with an interest he had never
felt before, ``tell me if Tiny Tim will live.''

``I see a vacant seat,'' replied the Ghost, ``in the
poor chimney-corner, and a crutch without an owner, carefully
preserved. If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future,
the child will die.''

``No, no,'' said Scrooge. ``Oh, no, kind Spirit! say he
will be spared.''

``If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, none
other of my race,'' returned the Ghost, ``will find him
here. What then? If he be like to die, he had better do it,
and decrease the surplus population.''

Scrooge hung his head to hear his wn words quoted by the
Spirit, and was overcome with penitence and grief.

``Man,'' said the Ghost, ``if man you be in heart, not
adamant, forbear that wicked cant until you have discovered
What the surplus is, and Where it is. Will you decide what men
shall live, what men shall die? It may be, that in
the sight of Heaven, you are more worthless and less fit to
live than millions like this poor man's child. Oh God! to hear
the Insect on the leaf pronouncing on the too much life among
his hungry brothers in the dust!''

Scrooge bent before the Ghost's rebuke, and trembling cast
his eyes upon the ground.

It remains to be seen whether Robertson will have the humility to "bend before the Ghost's rebuke, and trembling cast his eyes upon the ground."